Participant obeservation

Whyte

Actual research may be unable to be either covert or overt. Whyte's research was semi-overt because he told his real purpose to a key member.

Polsky

Initial contact may depend on personal skills, having the right connections, or even pure chance.
- Polsky: good pool player, useful in gaining entry to the world of the poolroom hustler.

Patrick (agrees with Polsky)

Joined a Glasgow gang because he looked quite young and knew a member.

Fairhurst (agrees with Polsky)

Hospitalised and used the opportunity to conduct a study on being a patient.

Thornton - acceptence

To gain entry to a group, the researcher has to win their trust and acceptance. Thornton made friends with a girl in her study. However, sometimes the researcher's age, gender, class and ethnicity can act as a barrier.

Liebow (agrees with Thornton)

A white man who gained acceptance by black street corner gangs in DC.

Griffin (agrees with Thornton)

Took medication to pass as black to experience the first-hand impact of racism.

Punch - going native

Danger of staying in a group is becoming over-involved or 'going native'. In an attempt to be accepted, Punch found himself over-identifying with them and acting as a 'policeman' himself.

Downes and Rock (agree with Punch)

Researcher must remain detached to avoid bias. But by remaining detached they risk not understanding the events that they observe.

Humphreys - practical issues

Acceptance and over-involvement reduces the risk of altering people's behaviour and sometimes is the only way to obtain valid information. Humphreys studied gay men's sexual encounters in public toilets. The only way to watch highly discreditable behaviour is to be in the same boat as those engaging in it.

Festinger et al

Sociologists can't take notes openly. They have to rely on memory and any opportunities to write them in secret. They used toilets as a place for recording observations; Ditton did too, which eventually aroused suspicion.

Yablonsky

Observation is the only viable method for studying certain groups. A teenage gang is likely to see researchers who come armed with questionnaires as the unwelcome representatives of authority.